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North Bay's Beginning 1882-1925The community of North Bay was "founded" in 1882 with the arrival of the C.P.R. By 1891 North Bay was a town and by 1925 we were the province's newest city.
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Downtown North Bay, 19051905
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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C.P.R. Steam Locomotive No. 2101882
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
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The arrival of the rail in 1882 marked a turning point in the area's history. Prior to this point there was no permanent settlement. Aboriginal peoples and European traders lived in and traveled through the area using an extensive waterway system that connected Lake Nipissing to the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers.5
C.P.R.'s 'Lucy Dalton' Crew3 August 1925
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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This all changed in 1882 with the arrival of the train. In December 1882 the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived at the north shore of Lake Nipissing. The C.P.R. steam locomotive, the "Lucy Dalton" crept slowly along the newly laid track and became the first locomotive to reach what would become North Bay. The arrival of the C.P.R. rail line connected the Nipissing District with more developed and prosperous areas in the southeast. Regular passenger service did not start until 1883.7
John Ferguson John Ferguson is considered to be the 'founder' of the community of North Bay.1925
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Arriving on the "Lucy Dalton" was John Ferguson, a 19 year old Scotsman. Ferguson delivered the mail for the C.P.R. and upon his arrival he purchased 288 acres (at $1 per acre) of what would be downtown North Bay and the C.P.R. yards. Ferguson sold off most of the land and built his family home downtown.9
John Ferguson Home1910
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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First C.P.R. Station1882
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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North Bay became a strategic location in the C.P.R.'s route. In the era of steam, small locomotives required additional fuel to be collected every 120 miles. Chalk River on the Ottawa River was one fuel stop and 120 miles west became the community of North Bay. The C.P.R. chose this as its divisional point on the transcontinental line where a roundhouse, coal depot, repair station and other facilities were established to compliment the solitary log station already constructed.12
Boarding House This boarding house served to house many of the C.P.R.'s workers.1885
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Starting as a rail community; the majority of North Bay's residents were men working for the C.P.R. This fostered the need for boarding houses and slowly businesses opened to meet the need of the new residents.As the community grew the population of women and children increased as workers moved to the community permanently bringing their families. In addition, many families moved to the new community to provide services and goods to the rail workers.
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W. McKenzie General Store1888
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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